A bed bug has found its way in and the unseen war has begun. The battle between humans and bed bugs has started. Soon an ally will be transported in and the enemy will expand its army to thousands within a matter of months. One single female will produce more than five thousand bed bugs in six months – they are capable of laying one to seven eggs after each feeding. Bed bugs are attracted to heat and to the chemicals emitted by the human body and survive off human blood which makes a senior housing facility the perfect battleground. With so many people around and so many always coming and going, it’s practically an all you can eat buffet for these pests. These bugs can often escape detection for long periods of time in senior housing. This is because bed bug bites may take a few days to appear after feeding, and with so many issues that arise on a resident’s skin, bed bug bites can be mistaken for a skin rash or some other malady. Some people may not react to a bite at all making it hard to connect that there is a common factor to the bites.

Here are some signs to help identify bed bug bites:

• Raised, red welts

• Burning and itching

• Bites that form a line or that are in a group

Many visitors, such as family, friends, and doctors, coming in and out of senior housing makes transporting and spreading bed bugs easy. Some common ways these pests can be carried in and out of the facility are through:

• Clothing

• Luggage

• Furniture

• Bedding, such as sheets and pillows

• Gifts and other packages

Spending time in common sitting areas and occupying a room where bed bugs are present are also ways bed bugs can be spread and shared.

As the infestation goes unnoticed, bed bugs will begin to reproduce and take over the facility. If this becomes the case, relocating residents to a different area while the infestation is treated can be a stress on both the staff and the residents; and the good reputation of the facility can become damaged and hard to regain.

It is important to check for signs of bed bugs in a place like this before it gets out of hand.

Here are some things to keep an eye out for when you do an inspection:

• Cast/shed bed bug skins, exoskeletons, or shells

• Fecal stains on mattress and bedding

• Blood stains on sheets or pajamas

• Bed bug bites

If any of these signs appear, it is important to notify and talk to the facility manager. They will take the actions needed by calling a pest control company and ending the vicious battle that began with just a bug or two. Not only are bed bugs a risk to the facility and the people living there, but they can become a risk for you and your home. Schendel Pest Services has locations in Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas, Arizona, and Oklahoma. Our bed bug experts are here to help with any questions or concerns you may have. We can help guide you in the right direction to pick the best bed bug control program for your needs.